Guardianship & Alternatives to Guardianship

A legal proceeding to appoint a person who is responsible to the court to take care of an incapacitated individual or minor and/or manage that individual’s property.

A guardian ad litem is appointed for the very specific purpose of representing a minor or someone who is allegedly incompetent during the course of a particular type of litigation. A guardian ad litem’s authority ends when the court releases the guardian ad litem.

Co-Guardianship is where two people are appointed to act as guardian for someone at the same time. In other words, two people share the guardianship responsibilities.

Limited guardianship allows the probate court to appoint someone as guardian over only the portion of a person’s life where the person is both incompetent and has a need. Thus, there might be a limited guardian appointed for medical purposes only (i.e., to provide consent for medical procedures), or for placement purposes only, or for the limited purpose of approving behavior plans and/or psychotropic medications. This is the least restrictive form of guardianship and should be utilized whenever possible.

An individual may appoint a health care representative if there are concerns that at some time, the individual may lack the ability to make decisions regarding his/her health. Under Indiana law the health care representative can then make these decisions on the individual’s behalf. The appointment of a health care representative must be done when the individual is competent.

An “adult” is someone over the age of 18 years.

An “incapacitated person” is someone who cannot fully manage their property and/or provide self care because of insanity, mental illness or deficiency, physical illness, habitual drunkenness, excessive use of drugs, incarceration, confinement, detention, duress, fraud, undue influence of others, or other incapacity or a person who has a developmental disability. (IC 29-3-1-7.5)

A “protected person” is someone who has a guardian.

• Guardian of the Person: oversees the proper living condition and treatment for the protected person
• Guardian of the Estate: responsible to oversee and manage proper investment and financial affairs of the protected person
• Guardian of the Person & Estate: responsible for both of the above aspects of a protected person’s life

A Power of Attorney is a written notarized directive from one person to another delegating authority to make certain decisions. Attorneys who serve as a power of attorney are called attorney of fact.

1. A power of attorney is voluntary; a Guardianship can be voluntary or involuntary
2. A power of attorney is easily revoked; a Guardianship can only be terminated by a court order
3. A power of attorney is made by someone who is competent; a Guardianship usually involves someone who is incompetent by age or health
4. A power of attorney is private and does not involve a court; a Guardianship involves court proceedings
5. An attorney in fact under a power of attorney has less formal accountability than a Guardian

• Person who is unable to provide self care and/or manage finances
• Person has dementia or other mental or physical infirmities
• A Special Needs Trust is required to protect a person’s assets to supplement Medicaid or SSI

• A temporary/emergency guardianship can be ordered by a court without a hearing being held first, and it can last no longer than 60 days
• A permanent guardianship requires a hearing first and continues for as long as it is needed

1. Retain an attorney to help with the paperwork and guide you through the process.
2. Have a thorough understanding of the protected person’s health and finances.
3. If the person is incapacitated by health conditions, obtain a Physician’s Report or letter from the person’s physician verifying that he or she cannot manage finances or make other personal decisions.
4. File a Petition for Guardianship with a court with probate jurisdiction and notify the allegedly incapacitated person, all close family members, and any person or institution having care or custody of the allegedly incapacitated person during the 60 days preceding filing of guardianship petition.
5. Pay the filing fee.
6. If the allegedly incapacitated person consents to the petition, or is unable to respond to inquiries due to disability, the court will hold a hearing at which witnesses will provide sworn testimony to support the allegations in the petition. If the evidentiary basis is deemed sufficient, the guardian will be appointed.
7. If a guardian is appointed, the judge will issue the guardian legal documents (often called “letters of guardianship”) permitting the guardian to act on behalf of the legally incapacitated person. (IC 29-3-7-3)

• Is the protected person truly unable to care for him or herself and/or finances?
• Is the person filing for guardianship the best person to be the guardian?
• Who should have access or be able to spend time with the protected person?
• Should the protected person be able to make some decisions for him or herself?

• Requests of the incapacitated person
• Requests of a minor more than 14 years of age
• Requests of a spouse
• Person named in a power of attorney or will
• The relationship of the proposed guardian and the incapacitated person
• What is the best interest of the incapacitated person

• Person named in durable power of attorney
• Spouse of incapacitated person
• Adult child of incapacitated person
• Parent of incapacitated or person named in the will of a deceased parent or any writing signed by parent and attested by two witnesses
• A person related to incapacitated person by blood or marriage with whom incapacitated person has resided for over 6 months
• Person nominated by incapacitated person
• Court shall select best qualified person to serve as guardian and may pass over person having priority

• Do everything for the best interests of the protected person
• File an inventory of assets if guardian of the estate
• Keep all funds of the protected person separate from the Guardian’s personal funds
• Obtain permission from the court before selling anything of value belonging to the protected person
• Obtain approval from the court if making an unusual expenditure for the protected person
• Obtain approval before moving the protected person out of town or out of state
• Every two years, file an accounting of income, assets and expenses with the court and others

• To invest protected person’s funds as a prudent investor would and as court directs
• To reasonably pay persons who are caring for the protected person
• To delegate some responsibilities to the protected person and others
• To select the protected person’s place of living within or without the state
• To arrange the medical care for the protected person
• To protect the personal effects of the protected person (clothing, furniture, vehicle, etc.)
• To give necessary consent, approval or releases on behalf of the protected person
• To arrange for training, education or other services appropriate for the protected person
• To apply for private or governmental benefits to which the protected person may be entitled
• To do what is necessary to ensure that any person who may be required to help support the protected person does so
• To enter into contractual agreements on behalf of the protected person
• To receive money and any other items of value on behalf of the protected person and apply these funds to the protected person’s room and board, medical care, personal effects, training, education and other services

View Indiana Code 29-3-8

• Right to contract: Indiana Code Section 29-3-8-5 (b) provides that: “Every contract, sale, or conveyance executed by a protected person is void unless the protected person is a minor, in which event the contract, sale, or conveyance is voidable.”
• Marriage: The Guardian does have the power to consent to the marriage.
• Driving: The protected person may drive if they meet all BMV requirements.
• Giving Protected Person some financial responsibility: If reasonable, to delegate to the protected person certain responsibilities for decisions affecting the protected person’s business affairs and well-being.
• Voting: Voting is everyone’s right as an American and because everyone, regardless of age, race, religion or disability, has the right to vote, it is important to understand Indiana’s voting system and your rights. According to the Indiana Secretary of State’s office, the Voter’s Bill of Rights explains in plain language what Hoosiers can expect when they come to the polls, and gives a clear explanation of the qualifications that voters must meet to exercise their right to vote. The document also includes a detailed description of the fail-safe procedures available to safeguard the rights of voters and is required to be displayed in all polling places statewide.

For people with disabilities, the Voter’s Bill of Rights states that:

1. The Constitution of the United States of America says that I have the right to take part in civic life.
2. If I am registered to vote in Indiana, I have the right to vote in this election.
3. I have the right to vote by myself or with help and I can select who I want to assist me.
4. Even if I have a conservator, I may vote unless a court specifically said I cannot.
5. I have the right to vote the way I want.
6. I have the right to get help if someone tries to stop me from voting.
7. I have the right to be shown how to make my choices on my ballot.
8. If I am waiting in line when the poll closes, I must be allowed to vote.

• Place all funds belonging to the protected person in a separate account(s)
• Keep all statements and receipts
• Maintain a complete check register or spreadsheet showing deposits and expenses paid

• A guardian is not responsible to pay the debts of the protected person, but the guardian needs to be sure he or she does not personally commit to the debt
• A guardian may be liable to the protected person or third parties for negligence, bad faith and fraud

• A guardian is entitled to be paid for his/her time, but is not required to accept a fee
• A guardian should keep detailed records of his/her time-date, amount of time, activity undertaken
• A guardian’s fee must be reasonable
• A guardian may not pay him/herself until the court has approved the fee

A guardian may resign if he or she is unable to continue to serve. A motion requesting resignation will need to filed with the court and the court will need to approve it. If guardianship is of the estate, an accounting will need to be done.

• Protected person is no longer incapacitated
• Protected person is moved to another state
• Protected person dies
• A guardianship of the estate can be terminated when funds or property do not exceed $3,500
• Guardianship is no longer needed for some other reason
• Guardian has not performed his/her duties in good faith or in the best interest of the protected person
• Court terminates the guardianship

Guardianship of a minor is terminated when the minor reaches the age of 18

Please visit the Indiana General Assembly website.